Five years after, Police nab suspected serial killer

Lagos—Operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FEDSARS, Adeniji Adele annex, have arrested a notorious gangster allegedly responsible for the killing of several innocent people in Lagos.

It was gathered that the suspect, Alayode Idris Abiola aka Aloma reportedly wreaked havoc in the Mushin, Fadeyi and Oshodi areas , maiming and killing several innocent people.

It was also reported that the arrested suspect was also responsible for the death of a nine-year-old girl, Aminat Lateef, who was killed in front of her house in Fadeyi while returning from an errand on December 9, 2010.

Vanguard learned that prior to the incident, Aloma and his gang had consistently threatened and terrorised residents of Fadeyi because he had issues with a resident identified as Toba, a member National Union of Road Transport Worker.

Alayode-Idris-Abiola

Recounting the incident that claimed the life of his little niece, 34-year-old Wasiu Lateef, who witnessed the murder, said: ‘’We were outside the house when she was sent on an errand, outside the compound. Less than five minutes after she left the compound we started hearing gunshots. The shots were so close that we had to scamper for safety but from where I was, I saw her coming towards the house innocently, even as about seven gunmen wearing black T-shirts were behind them shooting sporadically.

“From where I was hiding behind a bus, I beckoned to her to come because I didn’t want her to be caught up in the crossfire before she entered the house. Unfortunately, as she hid where I was, Aloma instructed his men to open fire that someone was hiding beside the bus. As they opened fire one of the bullets hit her face and chest.

“On realising that they shot a minor he ordered his boys to move out. He said ‘Mopol movement let’s go. Immediately they left, I carried her, shouting at the top of my voice, as her parents rushed out.”

Mr Saheed Lateef, the deceased’s father said: “As I heard my brother’s voice I thought he had been hit by a stray bullet but when I ran out I saw him carrying my daughter with her clothes soaked in blood. First we took her to Redemption Medical Centre, Fadeyi but they rejected her so we decided to take her to Lagos University Teaching Hospital LUTH, as she was already gasping for breath, on our way to LUTH but she died at LUTH’s gate.

Mother of the deceased speaks

Narrating how she felt at the time, Jumoke Lateef, mother of the deceased, said: “At that time I was depressed, inconsolable, I actually went to Toba house to cause trouble. I told him to leave the community, because his continued stay in the community was bringing death to many people who were victims of senseless attacks.

“I miss her so much, watching her die in the pool of her own blood for a crime she knows nothing about was heartbreaking. Aminat was our first child; she was a primary five pupil of Ola-Emmanuel Nursery and primary school. If Aminat Lateef was alive today she would have been 15-year-old and in secondary school. But her promising life was snuffed out when she was only nine by suspected hoodlums led by Aloma.

“I have not stopped praying for the long hand of the law to catch up with those responsible for the death of my daughter, Aminat. It took five years for the police to arrest the man who led the gang. It shows how our system operates. If not for God who is using policemen from Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FEDSARS, Adeniji Adele annex Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, FEDSARS, Adeniji Adele annex, the case would have been dead and buried. If people can kill others and get away with it, it means they have become demi gods.”

It was gathered that some members of his gang were arrested and charged to court while Aloma went into hiding for five years before he was arrested by Operatives of Federal SARS.

Suspect’s account

Denying the allegation, 42- year-old, Alayode Idris, who hails from Owu in Abeokuta South Local Government, said he had no hand in the death of Eniola Olayemi but he heard the news of incident.

According to the Aloma, who was the deputy Chairman of NURTW, Mushin Ajina branch, before his arrest, ‘’It was from Akeem aka no case that I received the news of Muritala’s arrest. I belong to the same gang with Ramoni Lawal aka Tanfiani, IK , and Lukmon who was earlier on charged for the murder of Aminat a nine year old girl.”